Is it possible that something as simple, and painless, as a brain scan can be used to detect if a child has autism? There are many news articles this week claiming that yes, this is entirely possible. Some people, however, are questioning that claim.
There has been much speculation about what causes autism, and, for now, the cause continues to remain a mystery. The brain scan isn’t going to reveal a cure for autism, but it might be a tool in determining if a person has autism, or other developmental disabilities. Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis scanned the brains of 238 volunteers who were between the ages of 7 and 30. They used an MRI, which stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It is a noninvasive test, and is painless, (but may be uncomfortable for people who are claustrophobic). An MRI can be used to take photographic images of what is going on inside the body. It seems that the researchers determined that the MRI was able to distinguish between the brains of adults and the brains of children. They were also able to use the MRI to determine where someone was at in terms of brain development.
On the other hand, some people feel that brain scans are not the answer. There seems to be some confusion about what the statistics actually mean. There has been some debate about the accuracy of using an MRI to detect a disease. There is the potential to get a “false positive”, which could lead to a situation where a child is diagnosed with autism who, in reality, does not have it. Or, the MRI might not catch autism in each and every one of the children who do have it. This type of problem has occurred when technology is used to detect certain kinds of cancer.
One important thing to keep in mind is that the MRI is not, in and of itself, a solution. Right now, detailed observations are made about a child who is suspected to have autism. Interviews will take place between a psychologist and a child, and sometimes with a psychologist and the child’s parents. Diagnostic assessment tests can be given to a child in the psychologist’s office. This can be tedious, and very time consuming. An MRI might be used to help confirm a diagnosis, but it will not replace the testing that needs to be done.
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